…and I may be way off base but it just struck me that perhaps all this crazy focus on the Rahim Jaffer and Afghan detainees might be a diversion from the fact that the Liberals let the budget pass.
I mean if this government is so bad, why didn’t the opposition parties take it out?
And why no amendments or even a speck of interest? Why aren’t the Liberals doing their job? [Please join this Facebook group!]
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Plus ça change, plus c’est la même chose:
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Also please also check out Alberta Ardvark – The Iffy Alternative.
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Friday Update
Liberals stuck in Afghan rut – John Ivison:
…The EI premium hike is a legitimate target for the Liberals — a government that says its first priority is reducing unemployment is increasing a job-killing tax — but would Mr. Ignatieff guarantee that any EI surplus would not be consolidated into general revenue to help pay for his pet projects? Not bleeping likely.
Mr. Ignatieff is a dreamer. In his most recent book, True Patriot Love, he muses: “The ambition of our ancestors should be inspiring us to equal them in daring, today and tomorrow.” Yet, as he has admitted to journalists, he finds Canada “a difficult country in which to dream.” In the absence of any plan to turn vaulting ambition into reality, the Liberal leader’s critics are likely to remain unconvinced.
Igyy’sIntensiveDeficitDisorder: IIDD.
Zap, I’ve frozen myself, Iffy says.
Me, too, Iggy says.
…-
“”I don’t mind freezing my salary, that’s not a problem, but freezing my salary is not a deficit reduction plan,” said Ignatieff.”
“”Canadians don’t want an election,” Ignatieff told reporters. “What they want from me is an alternative, an alternative to cuts, freezes and gimmicks. And we’ve been working hard on that alternative.”"
http://news.google.ca/news/quote?pz=1&cf=q&ned=ca&hl=en&qsid=C0ktD1-fXBYlTM
And that alternative is ….. gossip!!
The Liberals are an Iffy alternative to say the least.
And what happened to ‘ we want those documents or else,
Parliament is supreme!’
Where is the motion Derek Lee was going to table, to prove Parliament is supreme and can run roughshod over the PM/Cabinet/GG??
The Libs and their media were ready to throw Cons into jail…now nothing, not a peep nor question.
Wilson – And now there’s a new wrinkle that Sandy is covering.
Frankly I find the whole thing very tedious.
If he’s right and Canadians want “an alternative” do you think that might include proposing amendments to the budget they claim is flawed? They proposed zero and voted with the Tories against the NDP on raising business taxes.
Indeed Joanne it’s all bluster, fluster and innuendo in the “alternative universe” that the voters have cast the Liberals out into, we must never forget that, they LOST! All the drama they do their very best to drum up every day is just NOISE, no real content, no amendments suggested to the budget, no position on anything meaningful, or wholesome just never ending gotcha. We don’t like the budget but we are gonna vote for it anyway? HUH?
“I don’t have a position I’m the opposition Leader” yup I think thats a keeper. The CBC’s never ending cheerleading for these Coalition Commandos will never be forgotten by me I don’t care if they all end up in whatever-stan lookin’ for a story. I loved it when they came out to Victoria and were ignored by everyone but the media clowns. Obviously the poll numbers tell the story of the public just tuning out of the daily drama.
“I don’t have a position I’m the opposition Leader”
As long as he keeps that attitude we have nothing to worry about.
In other non-news, CBC scoops.
…-
“Flu season quiet so far
CBC.ca – 3 hours ago
PEI health officials say they are still waiting for the first reported case of seasonal influenza this year. Dr. Mitch Zelman, the deputy chief health officer, said health officials have no idea why no cases have been reported.”
I think the quote you are looking for is this one “I am the leader of the opposition. I have no position to clarify.”
Ah, that’s it Ardvark. Thanks. Great post you’ve got up there BTW.
It’s almost as if Mr. Iffy feels that as opposition leader he is entitled to just twitch his eyebrows and glare. That’s his job. Nothing else.
The Liberal/NDP/Bloc opposition are impudent at best.
Jaffer screwed up big time, can’t blame anyone but himself.
Then the same can be said for former Ontario Liberal Attorney General Michael Bryant too.
Jo — O/T but I only clued in today that the same thing is happening to CotM as happened to BLY on the BT aggregator when the wrong title — HGR– was showing.
I no longer have the “Just Politics” blog but Stephen left it up on the BT list because I had transferred it to CotM. However, today I noticed that all my posts were showing Just Politics. I have no idea when that started but I assume its been awhile.
I have e-mail ST and hope he will delete that old title. But, still can’t help wonder why it is connected somehow to CotM. Bizarre!
Breaking news: 33 members of Parliament Catch the Flu
Well, I guess there were a few cases of the flu today, as my MP apparently prorogued herself.
An alternative without an election is a coup.
“the budget is not my responsibility” while leader of the opposition was also a poor choice of words for someone who supposedly wants it to be his responsibility.
wow, poll says:
“More than ever, the military is part of the average Canadian’s interest and thoughts,” Sloan wrote.
“There appears to be a renewed desire for Canada to play a leadership role in the world — one that goes well beyond the soft power words of yesterday, to concrete action that truly makes a difference.”
Thankyou Prime Minister Harper…!!
http://www.canada.com/news/Canadians+split+potential+military+spending+cuts+Poll/2667711/story.html
A new post up with the names and contact information for the 29 Liberals who were
locked out by Ignatieffaway from Parliament for the confidence vote last night.The 29 Liberal MPs that Ignatieff would not let do…
Email away people.
Great work, Ardvark!!
I’m with Bubba and the rest on this one. Just a lot of NOISE which the public can screen out and let them all end up in ‘Whatever-stan’, if that’s their destiny. IGNUTZ and his IGnoble following (CBC included) are intent on playing their REIGNdeer games and redefining the job description of this disloyal Opposition to new depths of political skullduggery. Their persistent propogation of discontent, and their harnessing of the MSM to spin tales against our honourable PM, is a clanging cymbal. We have the greatest country in the world. If they don’t like it, or are fixated in destroying a formula which is the envy of the globe, they indeed can go prorogue themselves!
The Liberals are an Opposition in name only with a leader who’s lost at sea with no direction.
Wonder how many of the cop-outs for the budget vote found time to dine on seal meat? Mr Iffy came out first to say the Liberals would support the budget in sufficient numbers to pass it which gave Jack Layton the opportunity to posture.
We can email each one of the cop-outs and tell them we will be watching for any one of them to rise and speak against anything in the Budget.
Agree Wilson, we can thank our Prime Minister for reinvigorating our military and renewed interest in taking our part in making the world a better place. We can even see it at Remembrance Day services where attendance is up with interest in and respect for those who served and are serving in our forces.
[...] « I’m just throwing this out there [...]
all this talk about Jaffer, does everyone forget about Margaret Trudeau getting off easy with an impaired charge.
I think we’ve become adept at identifying the diversions. I do believe Canadians have also. What has to happen though is that we have to actually BELIEVE it. Sometimes I get the feeling that we don’t trust our own judgement on this which is usually dead-on.
Re: Jaffer – there seems to be more to this story than meets the eye, however, because he’s a conservative and connected to a minister it’s fair game IMO. In politics optics and perception are everything and if this has the tendency to make the PM a target by association without the PM coming out with a statement it’s also fair that Guergis be let go.
If we want to play tit-for-tat I’m pretty sure we could compile a laundry list of Liberals and others who ran a fowl with the law and got off…no problem.
The Liberals haven’t a leg or a leader to stand on. However the PM today is once again proving himself the guy best-suited to lead the country.
While the rest of the country carries on a local community near here will be pretty much shut down tomorrow for the slain OPP officer’s funeral. Sometimes politics plays second fiddle to things like that. Our whole region seems to be in mourning this week.
Are the Liberals accusing members of the Ontario Judiciary of accepting bribes or running interference with the Ontario legal system? How can they bring the Federal Conservative government and their tough on crime agenda into the Jaffer case without doing so? It’s getting to the point of being litigious if some of these screamers in the opposition benches make these statements outside the HOC. This is serious stuff.
Guergis is a Cab. Min. perhaps she could/should be demoted for her behaviour. Jaffer however is not but as a former Conservative MP he maybe should come forward and offer some clarity about his case and show remorse. Perhaps Hudak could demand answers as well, it’s a provincial court.
Good Morning’ Blue people (no reference to Avatar) reading’ Blogging Tories this morning and apparently the liberals in Alberta are having’ a problem with “Ducks” Searching for Liberty http://searchingforliberty.blogspot.com/2010/03/problems-of-few-little-ducks.html.
Funny that Mr Ignatieff also seem to have a problem with “Ducks” his “Ducks” aren’t covered with “Goo” however, the 29 Liberal duckees and duckettes other than the left (pun intended) over goo which has been flung with such care free abandon by the Federal Liberal party and their accomplices in the CBC. Mr Layton helped too. “Mr Harper unlock these doors.” Was he not standing in front of doors that not only weren’t locked but open? At least Mr Layton and the NDP participated and proposed an amendment. Small point I know but seems to me the Liberals have the opportunity to do something they have been 24/7 complaining about Parliment not being in session and then they take a holiday/sick day “duck flu” seems endemic in both the Provincial and Federal Liberal party. Better ramp up the flu shot supply. Whoops! that was what three phony crisis’s ago. hard to keep up really. Is this the Alternative the Liberals are offering the Canadian Taxpayer? Is anyone in the MSM going to call them on this! Hello CBC DUCKGATE!!!
great points Liz. Funny the federal Libs. accusing Ontario’s Liberal legal system when the provincial Liberal minister has publicly supported the decision. Too funny. You’re also right on is suggesting that Hudak could speak up also.
Bubba – you seem to have confused “ducks” with “puffins” – puffins hide their um…well, you know.
Just watched Rick Mercer’s Liberal Song and I can’t stop laughing! I think I will play it again!!
Ha-ha! Kelly, it’s a classic! And I’m lovin’ it.
You need to check L.Ian MacDonald’s column in the sun this morning folks “Budget Aftermath…”
Seems that CTV was less than honest when reporting about Jim Flaherty’s use of the gov’t jet. The truth is that Jim actually saved money not wasted it.
Take a look for yourselves and settle in for a great weekend.
Oh, and there’s another wonderful piece in the Sun about how terrific Harper is and all about how he has a mile-long list of accomplishment supporting him from here on in. You’ll be surprised who wrote this one too.
You’ll be surprised who wrote this one too.
Richco, I just read that and am still in shock.
Yeah, Richo, thanks for the heads up, two great columns in the Sun today. Guess we can’t expect CTV to correct their attack on Flaherty’s use of the gov’t jet, the opps in the HOC are also accusing him proving just how desperate and bankrupt they really are.
I take extreme exception to Liberal MP’s like Jennings going on about Jaffer and Guergis. Guergis committed no crime, she lost her cool and acted in a manner not fitting to an MP and is an embarrassment. I note hedy Fry and Bollywood ruby are still in their seats. Jaffer’s case is provincial, it never made it before a Judge but to insinuate the Harper government made any deals to get him off is so ludicrous it defies any logical thought process. If any member of the Conservative government attempted to make any deals with the provincial courts it would be the scandal the Liberals could only dream of to take them to victory.
There’s also an interesting column in the National Post by John Ivison: “Liberals stuck in Afghan rut”.
Jennings performance yesterday and her venom reminded me of how a cornered animal behaves when it knows there’s no way out. Truly pathetic but it’s what the LPOC has to look up to these days.
Fine by me!!
I said yesterday that I thought that the PM should let Guergis go – I think perhaps as a compassionate break just until she can pull her life together again – not for good. I would also hope that either the PM or Guergis start a lawsuit or two going against Jennings. She was very clear about what she said yesterday and if I were Guergis I’d go after her and her party for supporting such a verbal attack.
Jennings performance yesterday and her venom reminded me of how a cornered animal behaves when it knows there’s no way out. Truly pathetic but it’s what the LPOC has to look up to these days.
Fine by me!!
I said yesterday that I thought that the PM should let Guergis go – I think perhaps as a compassionate break just until she can pull her life together again – not for good. I would also hope that either the PM or Guergis start a lawsuit or two going against Jennings. She was very clear about what she said yesterday and if I were Guergis I’d go after her and her party for supporting such a verbal attack.
Not only are the Liberals stuck in an Afghan rut they’re seriously stuck in a leadership black hole too.
Bob Rae first up in QP – Still singing from the Afghan detainee songsheet.
It’s getting really tedious Bob.
The article by Michael Dentandt was a fair summary of some of PM Harpers many accomplishments, thank you for showing some balance Michael. The pride I see in our Military, the crowds on Remembrance day. The paying off of investing in our athletes. PM Harper has also stood up on the world stage and said the things that needed to be said, Canada is Back! The “Alternative” is not worth consideration. O.T. Joanne I attended the celebration of a Life Lived yesterday, there was not a seat to be had in our local Legion Hall, or a dry eye. Our fallen Comrade had done not one but two tours of Duty overseas in WW2 Air Force he suervived 50 missions. He came home went back to work, married and leaves his wife of 55 years and us to mourn his passing, along with his children and grandchildren. The word “Gentleman” was his and worn with grace, R.I.P. I never heard him mention his service, this seems to be the way of the Veteran.
Men and Women like this still walk among us and still Serve our Country, how lucky we are to have such people, in our services whether they are Army, Navy, Air Force, or Police and Firemen or Paramedics, they serve proudly. A real Canadian could not treat them with anything but the respect they have earned. God bless them all, the long the short and the tall.
Richo, I too am hoping for some action against the likes of Jennings but it won’t happen, she won’t say anything outside the HOC. The media are another story, just how far can they go and get away with it? I was disappointed as well with the Speaker who allowed such vitriol to be spewed but realize it’s par for the course. Perhaps she’ll consider stepping down on her own, at least from her portfolio, the people in her riding will decide her fate beyond that.
[...] I have to agree with Rick Mercer: The future is looking Tory Blue! Filed under Election fever, Harper best PM ever, Harper smartest PM ever, Iffy, Iggo [...]
[...] Bingo! [...]